Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-06-09


communicative. I mentioned my visit to
Toboso, and told of my success in collect
ing an old debt for which | was to receive
good fee.
"And the senior is not afraid of rob-
bers?" limited the senorita.
"Well, certainly not in the daytime"
replied. 81 have good seven shooter.
and with the driver TO help me ought to
be able to hold my own.
"You Americans are so brave" muir
INJURED the senorita; shut the brigands are
very bold. I have seen them in the
suburbs of the Capital.
sSenorita,'' l answered, 'look at this
little toy, and tell me if highwayman
would care to face it."
handed her my pistol, a weapon of the
latest improved pattern. She examined it
with interest.
Let me lay it on the seat here and con-
ceal it under my mantilla,' she suggested.
''If we need it can hand it to you quicker
than yon can draw it from your pocket"
AS it was really good idea consented
readily.
We did not suffer for topics of CONVEX
sation but this girl, for she was nothing
more than girl, made such a pretty pic
ture In her strange costume that [ found
sufficient entertainment in looking at her.
I was just beginning TO admit to myself
that was madly in love with her when
the diligencia gave lurch and came
to full stop in a dark and thickly wood
ed place through which we were pass
ing.
Sci Tornado?" shouted Gil Perez.
'Mer ,iful saints," cried the senoritra.
I felt an uneasy thrill. FL Tornado
was the bravest and most desperate brig
and III the region. He had a short time
before kidnapped a wealthy banker, and,
| in default of ransom, had with his own
hands blown out the prisoners brrins.
Quick. My pistol!" [ exclaimed.
| But a mysterious change had come over
the senorita. Before the words were out
of my mouth she had the weapon at full
cock leveled at nay head.
F'Senor Americana" she said, "It is use
less to resist. See!"
A glance showed that [ was helpless.
Only four robbers were in sight, but they
were four against one, to say nothing of
the senorita. The men were all masked.
One held tbs horses of the diligencia, an
other stood guard over Gil Perez with a
pistol pointed at his head, while the two
others, at either window of the coach,
manded my valise.
"The senior will hand it to you"
Could that veice be the senorita's? I'm
doubtedly it was, but it sounded strange
ly.
With three Tevolvers focused on me,
within few inches of my head, there
was nothing to do but to make the best
of it. I quietly delivered the valisef with
re
ed and the senorita was assisted out by
one of the brigands. She was instantly
helped into a vacanS saddle, and Ell Tor
nado exchanged few whispers with her.
| Then he turned to me.
Thanks, senior, for your attention TO
this lady. You carry with you our best
wishes. Adios!'
"Adios, senor," chimed in the lady,
waving her hand.
/ grumbled out an answer, and the
little cavalcade spurred off at a gailop.
| Gil Perez was of but little comfort to
me. He crossed himself several times,
and told me that I was lucky in escaping
| from Eel Tornado with my life. Then he
swore at Sancho and Perdita and dashed
the horses until they dashed forward at
! the top of their speed.
One night week later [ was coming
out of the opera house with a friend. The
President and group of officials came
along and we made way for them. Sud-
denly face that once seen could never
be forgotten flashed before my eyes.
Leaning on the arm of a distinguished
looking officer in a COlOnels uniform
was the senorita, my own senorita,
"What is the matter?" asked my friend.
"That women!'' / cried. 'Who is she %
"The Sonora Alvarez" was the quick
answer.
'And the mani"
"Her husband, Colonel Alvarez
"Taken aback as L was, l thought of
what was due to my friend. [ told him
the whole story"
II am sorry you have lost your senior
ita," he said, with a grim smile, 'bHt keep
your discovery to yourself. I have no
doubt Alvarez does sometimes take hand
in highway robbery under the name of Ell
Tornado, aud his wife helps him. She
posted the gang about your visit to To
bose. EVERYTHING that occurred was pre-
arranged But you have no remedy.
Alvarez is an officer of high standing. If
you make the charge that he is FL Torn
ado you will be shot as sure as fate!"
Other Americans took the same veiw,
and, as my client showed no disposition to
make fight for the recovery of his
money, I took my departure for the States
without again seeing my senorita.